National Allotments Week
National Allotments Week (11-17th August) is an annual celebration dedicated to raising awareness of the vital role allotments play in promoting healthier lifestyles, sustainable living and stronger communities. Spearheaded by the National Allotment Society, the initiative highlights the incredible benefits of allotments and encourages individuals, families and communities to connect with the land and with each other. This year the theme of the week is ‘Allotments and Wellbeing’.
Mike Farrell, Chair of the National Allotment Society, explains the significance of National Allotments Week: “Allotments have always been more than just a place to grow food. They are hubs of community spirit, wellbeing, and environmental awareness. National Allotments Week is our chance to celebrate their enduring value and to invite others to experience the joys and rewards of allotment gardening.”
And those rewards go deeper than you may think – from the food we grow to how we connect with nature, allotments can even help support one’s gut.
Supporting your gut health
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Spend time outdoors
Did you know that just coming into contact with the outdoors is enough to influence our gut bacteria? Microscopic airborne particles are colonised by a variety of bacteria that we inhale via the air we breathe.
One of the most popular ways to take advantage of the outdoors is by gardening. Science shows that exposure to green spaces and outdoor sunlight, including in gardens and allotments, improves mental wellbeing, reduces depression and anxiety symptoms, and has a positive effect on stress reduction.
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Move your body
If going to the gym is not appealing, this week is the perfect time to get your exercise fix out in the garden or on the allotment. Landscaping, raking and bagging leaves, pulling weeds, planting flowers and mowing the lawn all count as exercise and provide you with a full body workout!
Exercise has also been shown to support immune function, enhance gut microbiome diversity and facilitate smooth digestion, potentially alleviating symptoms of constipation.
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Get your hands dirty
The science also shows that getting your hands dirty can be good for your gut. Soil contains a huge range of bacteria, and exposure to the soil exposes us to the beneficial bacteria in it and its benefits.
One study found that rubbing hands in bacteria-rich soil before a vaccination helped improve the immunity it gave the participants. Gardening is one way of coming into contact with soil and it has been shown to change the gut bacteria of gardeners, leading to a richer and more diverse microbiome.
Microbiome diversity is important for the resilience of the gut because the greater the variety of bacteria, the more effectively the gut can perform various functions. Interestingly, one study found gardeners had more bacteria that produce butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid that provides the mitochondria in gut cells with the fuel needed to make energy.
My Happy Place – photo competition
Whether you’re participating in National Allotments Week for your mind, gut, as a hobby or passion, don’t forget to share the moments that bring you joy.
As part of National Allotments Week allotment holders are invited to take part in a special photo competition.
Just snap a photo of your “happy place” on your allotment – the corner that brings you peace, pride or joy. It could be your colourful flower bed, a well-earned rest spot, a thriving veg patch, or just a view that always lifts your spirits. Add a short caption and send it in!
Further details can be found here: https://thenas.org.uk/national-allotments-week
For further information on allotments:
Ireland: https://cgireland.org/